California has officially vaccinated 2 million people in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods, including areas in the Central Valley, since the start of its new equity initiative weeks ago.
State health officials said that once 2 million people in the areas received their first doses, they would begin to relax the requirements of the current level system, which would make it easier for provinces to move into less restricted levels.
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On Sunday, 13 provinces across the state will move out of the press level. They are: Amador, Colusa, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Mono, Orange, Placer, San Benito, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Sonoma and Tuolumne.
Health officials said they predicted next Tuesday that another 13 would move to the red level based on grain data under the new formula, which now allows provinces to leave the press level if they have 10 or fewer COVID cases per 100,000 people has.
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These counties include Kings, Tulare, Sacramento, San Diego, Lake, Monterey, Riverside, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Sutter, Tehama, Ventura, and Yuba.
The provinces of Kings and Tulare will be officially in the red level, which will be able to open more businesses with a larger capacity. It will start from Wednesday 17 March. This will be the first time Tulare County has moved out of the press level since the state established its level. system last year.
In the provinces of Fresno, Madera and Merced in Central California, they are predicted to remain in the press level. Mariposa County is currently in the orange level.
The state has relaxed its restrictions as the number of people receiving the vaccine increases. On Thursday, California announced new guidelines that will allow breweries, distilleries and wineries to reopen offshore operations in the most restrictive press level, with restrictions.
For the provinces that will soon go to less restricted levels, such as Tulare and Kings provinces, joining the red level means a mix of businesses, including gyms, shops and restaurants, can welcome a limited number of people inside again.
For restaurants, it’s 25% or 100 people, whichever is less.
“Anything helps,” said Alejandra restaurant manager Celini Alvarez. “Any extra space will help.”
The restaurant, in the center of Visalia, plays by the rules of the state, and only offers takeaway and, if allowed, outdoors.
It already had a patio, but was able to attract more customers with the addition of a few tables in Main Street.
Now he is looking forward to serving a limited number of meals inside.
“This move is very favorable and shows that because we have done our due diligence across the country, to those who are vaccinated the most vulnerable, that they are easing the restrictions because the vaccine does show that it is slowing the spread in Tulare County,” according to Carrie Monteiro of Tulare County HHSA.
Monteiro warns Tulare County is not out of the woods yet.
Many residents have not yet received their first dose of the vaccine, and COVID-19 is still a threat.
“It’s going to take a while,” Monteiro said. “That’s why we ask Tulare County residents to be vigilant, hold on a little longer, continue to wear your mask, and limit interaction with others outside your household.”
At Alejandra, employees will continue their safety measures.
But they look forward to the day when they can take off their masks and show their smile again.
“We’re curious to see what’s next – the next chapter,” Alvarez said. “And it seems to have helped with the vaccines very, very and very quickly.”
Now all school grade levels in Tulare County can reopen for personal tutoring.
Visalia Unified School District already offers personalized instruction to preschoolers up to 6th graders.
They plan to bring back 7th to 12th graders on March 7th.
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